5 Star Makeover: Scallops and Sweet Potatoes

For our March theme of the 5 Star Makeover series, we spun our take on cooking Sustainable Fish. My original plan for the challenge was something else entirely but this one tells a good story as well. But before that, let me lay the background...

Sustainable, organic...they are more than buzz words. Although bandied around much these days they are concepts that have existed since time was born.

Back a 100 years ago, the question of necessary and sustainable, would not have, perhaps, caused as much furore as it does today. For one, humans were far fewer in number and for another the seeds of democracy and free speech were yet to be sown, indeed :)

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Daring Kitchen Disaster with a piping hot mug of Humili-tea :)

Let me tell you a tale...

Once upon a time, not-so-long ago, there lived a young girl, willful and feminist. She spent her days carefree while taking care to stay away from the Kitchen. When her mother suggested that she pick up basic cooking (note: not culinary!) skills, she stuck her nose up, nonchalantly tossed her head and walked away....

Then came a time in her life, when she lived alone growing alarmingly atheist about food and struggling to turn to tangible the agonizingly nostalgic slivers of memory of mom's delicious cooking. And, then, she had to do the unthinkable... Pick up the ladle and spoon and get with it..

Over time, the past prejudices became mere amusing anecdotes and she prided herself on being a rather good, nay, awesome home chef. She came to think of the kitchen as her domain, holding to price any small change her rather accomodative husband unwittingly made. She insisted that no feat was beyond her and Ha! everything can be made perfect in the first attempt.

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Lending Hand - International Food Bloggers Auction for Japan

Natural disasters happen time and again, but always take us by surprise and jolt our everyday lives by bringing into stark reality the transience of the today and now. Yet, catastrophic events bring out the best in human spirit, Hope, Love, Generosity… it’s resilience allows for rebirth and rebuilding long after the destructive event has left its indelible mark on land and in the hearts of the people.

During times of duress, many of us turn to food for comfort and all of us food bloggers, are gifted in some way to provide that comfort to those in need. I wanted to help the relief effort and thought that using our passion for food to raise awareness and funds would be a great way of helping and hence the idea of an auction was born.

In an effort to lend a helping hand (humble as it may be) and in support of the perseverance of human spirit, a small group of international food bloggers have come together to put their passion for food to a charitable cause.

The International Food Bloggers Auction for Japan is a contributive effort from these bloggers to raise funds for the Japanese Red Cross Society towards their disaster relief efforts. Each blogger has pledged an item that will be auctioned to be sold to the highest bidder.

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Raisin Laugen Broetchen (Raisin Pretzel Buns) for Velveteers

It has been a while since the last Velveteers post on this blog. The Holiday Season just took over our lives and then some of us have moved over and started new lives leaving us to take a short break on the Club cooking.

I am yet to make Aparna's decadent Christmas suggestion, the Goan Bebinka. Sorry girl, but I promise, I will celebrate Christmas this Summer just for that! But, this month, we bring you another delicious baked item that is rather popular in NYC.. Pretzels!!

Al, true to his German roots (yes, Pretzels are originally quite German), suggested we bake these fabulous snack items for our first challenge in 2011 and I was quite happy to oblige.

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Pots de Crème au Beurre de Pomme avec Confit de Apple et Pistaches

Ennui... Perhaps I should have postponed this post.. perhaps it will not really make a difference either way... Ennui... It strikes once in a while.. sometimes suddenly and with no definite reason...sometimes it is a slow build up of discontent that just eventually bursts into a low hanging black cloud.

Whenever that happens, I usually turn to something dependable and sweet, like my deep, rich, chocolate-y brownie. That always does the trick. It unlocks the deeply hidden cookie jar of wellness and restores the yang in my life..

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There is something to say about homemade pasta... and a lot of other things

There is much happening around the world.. some natural and beyond the control of man and some very much in his power yet uncontrolled. In a time when the papers have no dearth of tragedies to report, it sometimes feels rather callous to go on about elegant flavors and all the good food that we are making and enjoying.

I am appalled ever more everyday by the geo-political disasters that have been quaking around the globe. The occurrence of these distinct yet unsettling catastrophic events, does indeed seem almost way too much of a poetic coincidence.

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Everyday Meals... a Ramen and a Salad

So many times in our blogs, we try to reach for the stars in flavors, in creativity .. showcase our talent by doing something different from the many, many blogs out there... that it really does feel like a competition sometimes. One that can consume your time without remorse and turn into an obsession bordering on addiction.

Anyway, one of the days I was craving something warm and soothing and just wanted Ramen. But, I also wanted something vegetarian and I had picked up some great looking Shitake and Bunashimeji mushrooms and went with that.

For another meal, I decided on the opposite end, a lovely light salad of arugula, HUGE Mayan shrimps, quail eggs, pear and Serrano ham.. simple ingredients that each bring a layer of flavor that work beautifully drawn together with a light drizzle of good olive oil and shaved Parmesan.

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Vegemite Lamb and Black Beans with Mushroom Soup

If you are from, well... most of the world, you are probably wondering what that first word in my title is! :) Here is a bit of definition from Wiki and then I'll tell you my story...

Vegemite is a dark brown Australian food paste made from yeast extract. It is a spread for sandwiches, toast, crumpets and cracker biscuits, and filling for pastries. It is similar to British, New Zealand, and South African Marmite, Australian (US owned) Promite, and to Swiss Cenovis.

Vegemite is made from used brewers' yeast extract, a by-product of beer manufacturing, and various vegetable and spice additives. It is salty, slightly bitter, and umami or malty — similar to beef bouillon. The texture is smooth and sticky. It is not as intensely flavoured as British Marmite and it is less sweet than the New Zealand version of Marmite.

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Stuffed Dorade with Sweet Corn Sauce

Have I told you about The Lobster Place? It is one the best, and my personal favorite, seafood markets in NYC. The first time I went there was with Christine and what impressed me even more than the freshness of the seafood was their friendly helpfulness.

They actually recognized Christine as a regular customer and chit chatted. An attitude you would expect from a small, local neighborhood store rather than the busy, mainstream store, located inside Chelsea Market, as it is. I patronize this store and I realized that the reason was their soulfulness!

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